But a number of problems arose as to how this general idea could be translated into concrete political concepts. A few cornerstones of Eucken’s Ordo ideas, such as an estate model of social stratification, elite rather than mass influence with regard to political decision making, protection and expansion of private property, and decentralization and subsidiarity as primary principles for the political and social structure, can be readily recognized in terms of basic doctrine. … Ordoliberalism was challenged to bridge the gap between utopian ideals and the sordid facts on the ground, even when the facts were so unpleasant that many preferred to be dreamers.

Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, loc. 511